There will be four opportunities for our 6th-12th grade youth to serve while taking part at Regional Assembly.
- [High School only] Springing up Trees for Washington – This grassroots charity began in Eureka, IL from a desire to help the Washington, IL people impacted by the Nov 17 tornado. Homeowners’ insurance covers the cost of the home and its contents but not trees or landscaping. So, a committee formed to provide one tree for each effected household. The cost of each mature tree is $200. Some of our high school youth and sponsors will (weather permitting) be able to help plant a tree on locations where the homes are fully re-built. Work gloves, work shoes, and clothes for being outside are needed. Those wishing to give monetary gifts to help make this happen should send donations to Eureka Business Association, P O Box 126, Eureka, IL 61530.
- Goodwill’s Forward, March & Run and Stand Down for Homeless Veterans – These events, taking place in downtown Peoria on October 11, are in support of Goodwill’s Veterans’ Services. Our youth and sponsors will be adopting a block or two of the race and provide cheering and encouragement for the racers, as well as help keep the race way cleared and clean. Clothes for being outside are needed. For more information about this event, go to: http://www.forwardmarchrun.com.
- Children’s Home Keepsacks for Kids – The Keepsacks for Kids is a volunteer-driven project held each fall in Peoria, IL that provides hand-made blankets and personal tote bags to the children and families in our community who are in need of extra support and comfort during the winter months. This year it will be held on October 18, 2014. In order to help Children’s Home prepare for this event, the youth and sponsors of RA will be preparing items for the personal tote bags and prepping fleece for blanket making. This work will take place on-site at Five Points of Washington and Sunnyland Christian Church. For more information about this event and Children’s Home, go to: http://www.chail.org/pages.
- St. Jude and Children’s Hospital of Illinois – As a way to help patients of St. Jude and Children’s Hospital in Peoria, IL pass the time, the youth and sponsors will have an opportunity to make a variety of 50 activity and craft bags which St. Jude or CHoI staff will distribute. Although supplies will be purchased and provided for this mission, anyone wishing to bring a donation for the cause may do so. This work will take place on-site at Five Points of Washington and Sunnyland Christian Church. For more information about St. Jude’s Midwest Affiliate or the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, go to: http://www.stjude.org and http://www.childrenshospitalofillinois.org.